had intended.

We would bury forever in the secret places of our hearts what had
already happened between us ... this was my first impulse....

My next was--that we should up and run away together, and defy Penton
Baxter and the world.

* * * * *

Hildreth could see by the strangeness in my behaviour, as I came into
the cottage, to kiss her good-night ... and stay a little while--a new
custom of ours, as we grew bolder--could see that I had something on my
mind.

I related to her all that had taken place between me and Penton that
morning....

"The cad," she cried, "the nasty cad, to talk to you so about me ... I
would have told you myself because you are my lover ... but he had no
right to tell you ... as far as he has proof positive, you are merely a
mutual friend....

"But that's the way with him. He has mixed his own life up so that it is
all public, to him.

"Yes," she cried impetuously and passionately ... "it's true ... I have
not been faithful to him before...."

"--and you returned to him? wasn't that weak?"

I took her hands in mine, with mind and soul made up at last....

"This time you can go through with it. Here's a man who will stand by
you forever. I can earn a living for both of us, and--"

"Don't let's discuss the horrid old subject any more to-night ... I'm
tired of discussing ... as you love me, read some poetry to me ... or I
shall scream!"

"Have you ever read the sonnets of George Santayana?... I know most of
them by heart ... let me quote you his best ...

'O world, thou choosest not the better part!
It is not wisdom to be only wise,
And on the inward vision close the eyes,
But it is wisdom to believe the heart.
Columbus found a world, and had no chart
Save one that faith deciphered in the skies
To trust the soul's invincible surmise
Was all his science and his only art.
Our knowledge is a torch of smoky pine
That lights the pathway but one step ahead
Across a void of mystery and dread.
Bid, then, the tender light of faith to shine
By which alone the mortal heart is led
Unto the thinking of the thought divine!'"

* * * * *

"I wish I had written that!" I said, in a hushed, awed voice, after a
moment's silence....

* * * * *

"Now kiss me good-night and go to your tent ... I feel restless,
troubled in spirit, to-night," she said, continuing:

"Perh